Time fuse



Jan.' 14, 1941. E w BOLD 2,229,905

TIME FUSE F11ed June 21, 1958 3 sheets-sheet 1 Jap. 14, 1941. WjBoLD2,228,905

TIME FUSE Filed Juhe 21. 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 by #Mal/#644m Jan. 14,1941.

FWBCLD 2,228,905

l TIME FUSE Filed June 2l, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I ZWvezfor "ELM n/ M.

by @22o-'14116 y Patented Jan. 14, 1941 s' PATENT oI-Flcs v2,223,905TIME FUSE Frederick Bold, helsea', Masts., assignor to WalthamHorologcal Manufacturing Company, Waltham, Mass., a corporation ofMassachusetts Application June 21, 1938, Serial No. 214,875

z ciaims.

My present invention has for one of its obf jects the elimination ofsuch a spring, and to rely upon freely movable and positively actingweighted elements as the driving means for a clock-'like mechanism to bedriven during the time for which it is set to release the' firing pin.

By means of my present invention, wherein I- eliminate entirely thenecessity of use of a wound spring and, hence, eliminate also thedifficulties incident to thevuse of such a spring,l1 am enabled to relyentirely upon the centrifugal action imparted Vto 'the fuse, and shellto which it is attached, by the rifling in the gun from which the sameis iiredl to operate the timing mechanism.

I also rely upon this centrifugal action. to release various ofthesafety devices, and preferably also I provide a still further safetyrelease actuated by the set-back action operated by the shock of firing.

Thus, my present invention enables a time fuse to operate only andsolely when and during the actual firing of the fuse and shell to whichit is attached from'a riiled gun, thus entirely eliminating any dangerof the release of the safety devices, or the starting of the timingmechanism during the ordinary assembling and handling operations. Thetiming mechanism cannot operate except from centrifugal action duringfiring.

In carrying out my present I eliminate entirely a spring, or springs, todrive the timing mechanism, I utilize a driving member operated by aplurality or series of freely movable weighted elements, such forexample as small steel balls engaging'in suitable teeth or recesses inthe perimeter of the driving member, which balls may be fed to suchmember and positively act to drive the same thru the action ofcentrifugal force, and thereupon are released-from said driving member,'which feature invention, wherein j is a distinct novelty in this art,so far as l'. am

informed, and I therefore wish to claim the same herein broadly.

Other objects of the invention are to improve and simplify `theconstruction of the timing fuse, provide 'improved and moredefinitely-acting safety, devices, arrange a of the weight-drivingelement actuating the ytiming means, and to facilitate the construction,

assembling, and operation of such a timing fuse.

of my prior Patent No.

control or escapement i Other features, details, and novel combinationswill be hereinafter more fully pointed out and claimed. y

Referring to the ferred embodiments,

Fig. l is a side view of a fuse;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view;

Fig. 3 is across-sectional view on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; I

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectioned view on the line 4--4 `of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5` is a detailed perspective view of the driving element;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view on the line 6-6 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 'I is a cross-sectional view on the line 1-1 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view on the line 8-8 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 is a detailed view of the firing pin and certain of itsimmediately associated parts;

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view on the line lli-l0 'of Fig. 2; l

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional viewl correspond-V ing to Fig. 2 butillustrating the firing, pin released and certain of the drivingweighted elements freed from their operation on the driving elementlshown in Fig. 5;

Fig. l2 is a 4to that-of Fig. 3 after the setting disc has been moved toits time-releasing position;

Fig. 13 is a view corresponding to the showing of Fig. 8 after release;

Fig. 14` is a view corresponding to Fig.f10 after release;

Fig. 15 being a detailed view of the firing pin and immediatelyassociated parts, corresponding tofFig. 9 after the firing pin has beenreleased, and

Figs. 16 and 17 are side and a cross-sectional view, respectively,illustrating a modification.

Referring to the drawings, I'indicates the base of my improved fuse, andl2 the setting cap which is adapted to iit over and upon the rim 3 onthe base l, having a shouldered bearing, as indicated at', into whichthe open edge of the cap 2 is adapted to fit, as best shown in Figs. 2and l1. Cooperating grooves 5 in the base and 6 in the cap 2, inalignment with each other, are arranged to'receive a circular lockingspring I0, which will firmly lock the cap and base together whilepermitting relative rotative movement therebetween.

i A series of thrusting screws Il, see Fig. 13, are arranged to bethreaded thru correspondingly tapped recesses in nerim of the cap 2opening into the groove 6 and bearing against the locking spring in toforce the same partially into the groove 5 in the base and thus lock thecap and base. together. The spring drawings illustrating pre- I0 beingnormallyA -erossfsectional view corresponding expansible will, when thethrusting screws II are released, expand into the groove 6 in the cap,which latter is of slightly greater depth than the 'diameter of thelocking spring Il) and, hence, will be completely housed therein andpermit either the application of or removal from the base and cap. u

The base I is provided with a circumferentially threaded portion I2'adaptedto secure the entire fuse to the shell, and said base isformed'with a central recess I4 in which the firing pin I5 is adapted toreciprocate. This firing pin has a point I6 in augment to impinge upon acap or primer lll for firing the shell, said iiring pin, when releasedby the firing mechanism, being vactuated by a coiled spring 28surrounding the same and bearing between the bottom of the recess I4 anda circular flange 2| on the ring pin. At the base of the recess I4 is anopening 22 of appropriate diameter to provide a sliding it for thelfiring pin I into a counter-recess 24, wherein a block 25 is secured byscrews 26 and 21, the heel of the ring pin I5 extending thru a centralrecess- 30 in the block 25; and also thru said block 25 at right anglesto the recess 38 and opening laterally thereinto is a. right-angledrecess 3 I.

A shaft 33 ts in the recess '3I, having a cutaway portion 34 adapted toengage a notch 35 in the upper portion of the ring pin I5 and hold thefiring pin against the tension of 'its spring 23, as shown in Fig. 2. Apartially rotative movement of the shaft 33 to the position shown inFig. 1l is effected by .the operation of the timing" mechanism, to bedescribed, and hencethe release of the firing pin I5 and its impactagainst the primer firing the charge.

The shaft 33 has secu'led to'an end extending outside the block 25 anarm 38 so positioned that a cut-away portion 34 acts to hold the sameand the shaft 33 in locking position with the ring pin when arrangedhorizontally, or as shown in Figs. 2, 8, and 9, and said arm 38 is soheld and, hence, against the tension of the action of the spring -28 'bythe overhanglng portion 39 of a lever 48, which lever is mounted upon apivot 4I in the block 25 and has a larger mass area and weight. as shownat 42, opposite to the overhanging portion 38 and hence, arranged forswinging when released thru the centrifugal action ofthe whirling givento the shell by the twisting of the riing during iring. Thiseounterbalanced lever 48 is held against swinging on its pivot by thelower portion of a depending shaft 45, said lower portion being cut awayas shown at 44, until the same is partially rotated by the topplate 5I),keyed or secured `to the shaft 45, having its upstanding edge portion48, which bears against the setting disc 5I, snap^into the notch 52 onsaid setting disc 5I,-thus effecting a partial rotation of the shaft 45,release of the arm 38, and hence release of the ilring pinll5.... n s

In order to insure the swinging action of the top plate 58, I providesame with an overbalanced weight 53 opposite the upstanding edge portion4B sas to swing the same on the shaft 45 as a pivot when the notch 52comes into registry with said arm es during the rotative action cf Kthesetting disc 5I.

The setting disc 5I is mounted for rotative movement, to be describedlatex-,Hand is assembled with the notch 52' held jin engagement by aspring arm 55 depending from a plate 56, which vis secured to thesetting can by screws ell-51. Thus, rotation of the setting disc 2 onthe base the rim 3 of the base I, and the index arrow 60 on the settingdisc, will determine lthe time in which the setting disc 5I will berotatedl when released and, hence, the time when 48 will fall into thenotch 52 and release the other devices to free the firing pin I5. l

I prefer to arrange to have this arm 55 removed from the notch 52 and,hence, to release the rotative movement of the setting disc upon theshock of iiring; and .for this purpose I form a ange 6I on-v the plate56, to which -is pivoted at 62 a. counterbalanced weight 65 which willbe moved by the set-back action of the shock of firing and will throwthe arm 55 out of engagement with the notch 52 and thus permit thesetting disc 5I to be free to rotate. f

In order to hold the arm 65 in upward position, as shown in Fig. 2, Iform the back or rear part flattened slightly, as shown at 66, whichbears against the arm 55, said arm being normally set as a spring tohold its lower end into engagement with the notch 52. Upon the shock offiring the weighted portion will cause the arm 65`,to rock and the fla-tsurface thus throws out the arm 55, the parts being in the positionshown in Fig. 11.

The weighted elements and the means to effect 4 rotation of the disc 5I,after it has been released, will now be described. Fitted above and se--cured to the base I `and. within the cap 2 are a plurality of plates68, 69, and 18 which are rigidly secured tc said base lf'cnd thru whichthe shaft. 45 passes freely to permit rotation, as previously described.--Mounted centrally on the plate 68 is' a hollow tube 19, and rotatablymounted on said tube is a hub II on which the setting disc 5I pivots,being held between flanges 'I2' and a downturned spring washer 13. A cap'I4'encircles the tube I9 being held by a set screw 'I5 in adjusted lposition thereon, and having aclosed end 16 to act as a bearing for thespring 11. contained within said tube, which bears against a pluralityof weighted elements, here shown as steel balls 80.

'Ihese balls 'are suihcient in number and weight so that when feddownwardly by the force of the spring 11 they will be forced out ofthe'open mouth of the tube 'I9 into notches 8l on a driving lwheel 82,said driving wheel being arranged for rotative action on an axle 63mounted on extensions ttlng in suitable recesses in'alignment therewithin thel plates 68 and I0 Centrifugal action will cause the weightedelements 88 to thus turn the driving wheel` 82 in the di- Irection onthe arrow, Fig 4, exerting a maxi- Thus I secure a positive drivingaction on the `qvkheel 82independently of any spring, or springs, and Imount on the axle 83 of this wheel a gear 86 whichv meshes with a pinion87 on the hub 7l and thus turns the setting disc 5I as soon as it isreleased by the removal of the spring arm 55 The turning of the settingdisc 5I continues until the upstanding arm 48 falls into the notch 52,as abbve explained. Thereupon, the shaft 45 is directed to release thecounterbalanced lever da, which in. turn frees Athe arm 38 and, hence,permits the ring pin I5 to be driven downwardly by the influence of itscoiled spring 28 and to ignite the charge.

g5 in accordance with the scale or gauge 58, on." In order to -provlde asteady and uniformac- 75 tion of the power wheel 82, I provide anescapement consisting of a gear wheel 90 mounted also upon the axle 83and meshing thru a pinion and gear (not shown) ,with a second pinion 83,and an escapement wheel 94 which is regulated by an oscillator 85,having a pair of upstanding teeth 98--86 to engage and regulate thespeed of the escapement wheel 94. The speed of the action of thisoscillator 95 is dependent upon the impulse of a'hair-trigger |00,secured on a stud |0|, which in turn is movable on a threaded screw |02and can be adjusted by rotation of the screw by an ordinary vscrewdriverreaching' thru a hole |03 in the cap 2, thus adjusting the speed of thedriving impulse of the wheel 82.

In addition to the several safety devices above described and explained,I provide a still further safety device which must be actuated bycentrifugal forcebefore the firing pin c an be released. This safetyfactor includes a counterbalanced-member |05 pivoted at |05v to ascrewthreaded stud carried by a bottom plate |01 which ts in acorresponding recess in the bottom of the plate and is held by one ormore screws |09. This recess is a part of or opens into the cut-awayVportion Il thru which the firing pin |5 is driven into the cap or primer|1, as above explained.

The pivoted member |05 is normally positioned with a corner I |0Ifitting under the circular flange 2| on the ring pin I5, the member |05being normally held in this locking position (see Fig.

l0) by the influence of a spring I2 secured by a screw to the plate |08.Upon firing of the shell the centrifugal action will force the member|05 to swing on its pivot |06 against the tension of the spring ||2, andthus free the corner ||0v `from its safety locking position under thecircular harige 2|, thus-'permitting the firing pin |5 to be driven uponits subsequent release by the timing mechanism.

In addition to the plates 68, 69, and 10 above described, for holdingthe driving wheel and accompanying gears and pinions, I provide a topplate ||5, a ring ||1, shown in Figs. 2 and 11, and a bottom plate IIS,all held together by a series of screws |20 tappedv into the base andconstituting the rigid supporting means for the movable partsof themechanism above described.

Referring to Figs. 16 and 1'1, I have illustrated a modification wherein.a plate |2| takes the place of the plate 85 wherein the driving wheel82 vis mounted. In this form, I eliminate the tube 19 and spring 11, butin place thereof I provide a spiral groove |25 formed in the plate |2|and adapted to contain the series of weighted members which are fedintol the notches 8| of the driving wheel 82. The groove |25 is arrangedoutwardly from a central position so thatthe centrifugal action on thefuse will -automatically force and feed the balls 80 lengthwise from thehead |28 of the groove |25 to a delivery opening |21 from said grooveinto the notches 8| in the driving wheel 82,

whereupon, said weighted members by the continued force of centrifugalaction will turn the wheel 82 and escape from the gate 8| in a mannersimilar to that already described in connection with the first orpreferred form.

The operation of my improved fuse structure,

employing a driving wheel to actuate the timing mechanism by means ofpositive direct-acting weighted members, which members are fed auto..matically to the driving wheel and after performing their drivingfunction thru centrifugal force are released or freed from the drivingwheel, thus provides a positive, uniform operation. By eliminating adrive spring, or springs, for the timing mechanism, I also eliminatemany diiiiculties in the construction and operation of such time fuses.My fuse structure maintains its driving eiiciency even thru months oryears of service, whereas a spring under such conditions might notfunction. e

Furthermore, my improved construction employs and relies entirely upon"centrifugal action of the fuse, which necessarily is set up by safetycatches, cannot possiblyoccur except during the actual operation offiring and, hence, eliminate entirely the danger of accidentaldischarge.

Furthermore, the use of freely movable weighted members as the drivingmeans by reason of the centrifugal force exerted upon them, whichmembers are fed successively to and thru the driving wheel, is a mostimportant novelty and insures constant, steady, and uniform drivingaction, also operable by centrifugal force resulting from the Iclaim: 1. In a fuse of the-kind described, a'rotatable firing action.

setting discnormally held against rotation untilV released after ring,attubular member positioned in alignment Vwith the axis of said disc andextending therethru, a plurality Aof separate weighted members, eachindependently movable, stored in said tube, driving mechanism mountedeccentrically with said setting disc and including a rotatable toothedmember, having its said teeth successively movable substantially inalignment with the tube and said separate weighted members, the releaseof the setting disc after firing providing for the -travel of saidweighted members individually and successively to said toothed member tocause rotation of same thru centrifugal force on said weights. f,

2. In a fuse of the kind described, a rotatable setting disc normallyheld against rotation until released after firing, a tubular memberpositioned in alignment with the axis of said disc and extendingtherethru, a plurality of separate weighted members, each independentlymovable, stored in said' tube, ,driving mechanism mounted eccentricallywith said setting disc and including a rotatable toothed member, havingits said teeth successively movable substantially in alignment with thetube and said separate Weighted members, the release of the setting discafter rng providing `for the travel of said weighted membersindividually and successively to said toothed member to cause rotationof same thru centrifugal force on said weights, and means permittingsaid weighted members to travel free of said toothed member after theyhave exerted a rotatable action thereon. y

FREDERICK W. BOLD.

